Operating principles

Design and selection of Compressors

Compressors are designed and selected based on:

• Inlet pressure
• Gas flow
• Final discharge pressure

Unit designers must take into consideration:

• Capability of compressor
• Process conditions
Multi-stage vs Single Stage
Compressors
 Single Stage vs Multi Stage Compressors

Single Stage Compressor Multi-Stage Compressor

Compress the entering gas one time
Used for high gas flow rates and low
discharge pressures
No cooling phase between stages
since there is only one stage
Compress the gas multiple times
Used for high discharge pressure or
total compression ratio
Gas is cooled between each stage
 Multi Stage Compressors

Multi-stage Axial Multi-stage Centrifugal

Compressor Compressor

Multi-stage
Reciprocating Piston
Compressor
 Pump vs Compressor

Liquid can't go into a compressor because

you can't compress a liquid.

Vapour can't enter a liquid pump because

the pump is designed to move liquid.
Frequently in process industries,
the desired discharge pressure is
more than ten times that of the
inlet pressure. In cases such as
these, a single-stage compressor
cannot be used because of the high
temperature generated
 Subsystems of large multistage compressors

Bearing Oil System Seal Oil System Extensive Vibration

Detection System
Centrifugal Compressor
Performance Curve
 Performance Curve

When a compressor is selected,

a performance curve is
provided with the compresso so
engineers can track the
operational performance of the
equipment